2014 marked the 18th Community Partnership Day for Novartis. Across the globe an estimated 19,000 associates, across 55 different countries are anticipated to have taken part. Here in Ireland we had over 170 volunteers rolling up their sleeves, providing approximately 1,700 work hours across all the Novartis organisations, demonstrating the power of caring and the impact it can have on the lives of many within our communities.

Novartis Ringaskiddy

Five key projects were selected by the team at Novartis Ringaskiddy reflecting the wide variety of worthy causes that require the generosity of the public to enable them to continue to do their excellent work. Over 100 volunteers provided approximately 1,000 hours to ensure these projects were successfully completed for Community Partnership Day 2014.

These projects included:

Creation of a ‘Garden of Hope’ for the Girls Club Cancer Support Group CorkRefreshing the School of the Devine Child, Blackrock CorkFamily Fun Day for the Children’s Leukaemia Association CorkCommunity Clean Up in conjunction with Shanbally and Ringaskiddy National SchoolsAnnual Novartis Senior Citizen’s Lunch

Commenting on the day, Rebecca Cross, Community Partnership Day coordinator for Novartis Ringaskiddy said: “The Community Partnership Day is a very special day in the Novartis calendar. This year more than ever the theme of ‘caring’ resonates strongly right across all of our projects and you only have to speak with the project leaders to see the deep personal connection each person has to their project. The one consistent message from all of the projects is about making a difference to people’s lives. I would like to thank the project leaders and all of the volunteers who helped make 2014 Global Community Day a huge success. We have some fantastic ambassadors for Novartis Ringaskiddy.”

Novartis Dublin

Volunteers from our Commercial Operations in Dublin showed off their hidden talents during an afternoon tea party for ALONE residents in Dublin today. Over twenty of ALONE’s residents were entertained with Irish dancing, singing and music by Novartis staff and enjoyed an afternoon of cakes, treats and gifts provided by the enthusiastic volunteers.

Commenting on the afternoon tea party, which was held in Willie Bermingham Place, ALONE’s largest housing premises, Suzanne O’Reilly, Fundraising Officer, ALONE said: “We are delighted to be working with Novartis and to have its Dublin staff involved with ALONE this year. Volunteerism is at the heart of what we do and by supporting this afternoon of entertainment and refreshments, the Novartis staff is helping to brighten up our residents’ day. Demand for our services has increased by 50% in the last two years and many of the older people who come to us are finding themselves isolated and in urgent need of assistance and support. ALONE provides vital services to these people and we always welcome volunteers to help us take care of older people in need.”

Alcon

More than 50 associates from Alcon’s manufacturing facility in Cork, Ireland volunteered their time to help local charities on May 12th, as part of Novartis’ Community Partnership day. Alcon, the global leader in eye care, is the second largest division of Novartis, and has celebrated Community Partnership Day annually since merging with Novartis in 2011.

Alcon volunteers provided more than 500 hours of service to local organizations including Headway, Brú Columbanus and the Cork Association for Autism (Greenville House).

“Community Partnership Day is a very special day in the Novartis and Alcon calendar, as it gives us all a chance to make a difference in our community,” said Jackie Murphy, Plant Manager for Alcon Ireland. “The generosity of spirit that I saw is the perfect example of our core values and behaviors here at Alcon, and we are already looking to expand our reach and impact in 2015.”